3.5 out of 5 stars

"Music City" could give jukebox musicals a good name. Its jaunty songs by country hitmaker J.T. Harding are catchy and sweet. A uniformly charismatic cast and real-deal backup band perform them on an immersive set made to resemble an East Nashville dive bar, stage and all. That means the songs don't have to be bent to serve the story (country-music hopefuls seek their elusive break) — or vice versa. When Peter Zinn's book abruptly tries to raise the stakes late in the game, that changes, thinning the authenticity and charm. But the party sure is fun while it lasts. — Adam Z. Horvath

At St. Luke's Theatre, through Oct. 31, 2026; musiccitythemusical.com. (Review date: July 5, 2026)